Students take drones – and ethics – to new heights
July 21, 2022
Saint Anselm College hosted sixteen high school students for an on-campus program where they learned how to build, program, and fly drones, along with taking part in ethical discussions about how modern technology affects our daily lives.
The students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts worked in teams throughout the week-long camp to understand the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, along with getting hands-on instruction on building, programming, and flying drones.
The camp, which ran from July 10-15, was hosted by Center for Ethics in Society, the Saint Anselm College Computer Science Department, and STEM-ED. It received widespread media attention, including front page coverage from the New Hampshire Union Leader and a story by New Hampshire’s ABC affiliate, WMUR.
“The primary motivation for the camp was to introduce students in the New England area to drone technology, especially those who might not otherwise get the chance,” said Dr. Micheal Huelsman, the camp’s director and a professor in the computer science department.
The campers attended classes to learn about the mechanics and coding behind drones, and received hands-on experience flying drones on the College’s Alumni Quad. Throughout the week they also discussed the ethics of artificial intelligence and drones, watching I, Robot (2004) and discussing its themes and central questions with Dr. Josh Tepley, a professor of philosophy.
“Our camp focuses on making sure that the next generation of problem solvers think a little more carefully about the things they invent,” Dr. Huelsman said.
Dr. Huelsman was impressed by the group of students who participated in the camp.
“We got a group of intelligent, thoughtful, and engaged learners who were motivated to better themselves,” Huelsman said. “While we focus on giving the campers the skills to tackle and talk about problems it is the relationships that they form that may prove to be the greatest benefit, and one perhaps not recognized for many years.”
We look forward to welcoming students back again next summer!